The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announces the selection of the preferred alternative for the Waterville bridge on State Route 64 in Lucas and Wood Counties.The project will replace the Waterville Bridge over the Maumee River in Lucas and Wood counties with a wider bridge, install a roundabout at the SR 64/65 intersection and perform necessary related work.

ODOT has selected to move forward with Alternative 2, replacement of the bridge using a parallel alignment.The new bridge would be located south/upstream of the existing structure.

The selection was based upon multiple factors including cost, environmental and historical considerations, public opinion and length of closure (estimated closure of 30-45 days).The estimated construction cost of the project is $20 million.

The next step for the project will be to finalize design plans for the project.Pending availability of funding the project will be ready for construction in 2017.

Built in 1904, then rehabilitated in 1948, the Waterville Bridge is one of only four truss bridges on the state and federal highway system in Ohio. Due to age, condition and characteristics of this particular structure type, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is planning this future project.